photo by 迪生愛
Wagyu, Sukiyaki, Tempura… Japan is well known for a variety of good foods. But in reality, ordinary Japanese citizens do not eat such gorgeous meals everyday. We, young Japanese adults who are on a limited budget, are more familiar to meals from cheap but great taste franchised diners.
YOSHINOYA
photo by Hajime NAKANO
Generally, it is called “Yoshi-Gyu”. The biggest attraction of this franchise is “quick, cheap and delicious” meals. Yoshi-Gyu shops open almost 24hours. It is so handy to call in for a quick meal after a night out with mates. The picture shown is “Gyu-Don”. The best way to eat it: crack a raw egg onto the meal and add lots of “Benni-Shoga” ginger. Medium size “Gyu-Don” 380yen, egg 60yen, miso soup 60yen. Total 500yen.
Marugame Seimen
photo by hiro
“Marugame Seimen” is a noodle shop chain that offers genuine “Sanuki” style udon noodles. Noodles are made in front of customers, and cooked in boiling water after orders are placed. Customers first choose type of noodles then select side orders. “Kamaage” is the most popular menu item. Add free served chopped shallots, “tenkasu” and crashed ginger before start. These toppings are free of charge so add a generous amount. The picture shown is “Kamaage” 290yen, vegetable tempura 130yen and eggplant tempura 110yen. Total 530yen.
Fuji Soba
photo by Hajime NAKANO
“Fuji Soba” is a chain of soba noodle stands operating around Tokyo area. Very popular among foreigners too. In suburbs like Akihabara, where many foreigners visit, you would see many overseas travelers among other Japanese students or office workers. Many of them visit this shop to experience stand-up-eating out of curiosity. “Sansai-Soba” topped with wild vegetables (sansai) would be a great choice for foreigners. The prices seems to be slightly different between shops. One I often visit serves Sansai-Soba 390yen, plus 100yen if size up. Total 490yen.
Dumpling “Ohsho”
photo by sadmakbird
When we feel like a quick drink, “Ohsho” is the place to go. This Chinese restaurant chain offers a big menu variety and never bores frequent customers. The best menu of this restaurant is Gyoza (dumplings) 231yen. The pricing slightly varies between shops, though, it is cheap anyway. “Gyoza-Teishoku” 735yen is a must-eat menu item here. It comes with Gyoza for two, a bowl of rice, soup and pickles for this price. Other dishes are worth trying and taste great, of course.
MOS BURGER
photo by Tatsuo Yamashita
We go to MOS BURGER to indulge ourselves or to go out on a date. This place is a little pricier than other burger shops. The reason why we choose this shop? Because burgers are simply great here. One of my friends from overseas loves “Rice Burger” or “Rice Teriyaki Burger” that uses shaped rice instead of a burger bun. The must-eat menu item here is “MOS Burger Set” as shown in the photo. It comes with their top selling “MOS Burger”, fried potatoes and a drink for 780yen.
Ootoya
photo by Hajime NAKANO
“Ootoya” is the place we go to have a decent meal. This restaurant chain offers typical Japanese home-style meals. You can choose between steamed plain rice and steamed multigrain rice for “Teishoku” (a meal set). Free size up is also available. This place reminds me of mom’s home cooking. I often order “Charcoal Grilled Shima-Hokke Teishoku” (the photo above is not this dish). It comes with grilled hokke, a bowl of rice, miso soup and pickles for 965yen.
Time to feed my rumbling stomach…
You can buy wonderful meals in Japan as much as you wish if you pay good money. However, you do not really need to pay a great sum of money just to eat good food in Japan. Try what we eat day to day, not just banquet sort of meals, to experience genuine Japanese everyday life.
